A multitude of Frontier volunteers and interns are University or College students undertaking academic study. Why not make the most of your time abroad by adding volunteer experience to your resume as well as gaining academic course credit in your field of study. This internship will give you the opportunity to gain relevant work experience that will not only enable you to stand out to prospective employers but will also save you time and money; after all, a minimum of 4 weeks spent volunteering during your summer vacation works out a lot cheaper than another semester at College!

So how does it work? Volunteers can arrange with their academic institution to gain transferrable course credit by participating in our field programmes. Our research team both in our London Headquarters and overseas field staff will liaise with your academic course supervisors on your behalf to ensure that your participation contributes to your academic performance and confers course credits. Further to this, we are able to sign supporting documentation, verify your participation and provide mentoring and in-country support. To sum up, Frontier will be there for you every step of the way!

Tenerife is the largest of the seven stunning Canary Islands, which form this Atlantic Ocean archipelago. From the golden sandy beaches in the south to the dramatic lunar landscape of Mount Teide National Park and everything in between, Tenerife is a must see.

The Canary Islands are part of a community of Island chains situated in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. Along with Madeira, Cape Verde, the Azores and the Savage Islands, the Canaries are known as Macaronesia which literally translates as ‘Islands of the Fortunate’. The Canary Islands certainly are fortunate as they boast over 1700 species of plants and an assortment of animal, insect and marine life and out of the seven Canary Islands, Tenerife is the most biologically diverse due to its extraordinary climate and geography.

This little Island is home to two world heritage sites, one national park, the world’s third largest volcano and 42 natural protected spaces making it jam packed with places to explore. The enormous variety of activities and sites such as the medieval castle, unspoilt villages and fantastic diving will make your time in Tenerife a truly unique experience.

As one of the top whale and dolphin watching destinations in the world, the south-west coast of Tenerife is a truly outstanding location for the observation of free-living whales. There are resident communities of pilot whales and dolphins which remain here throughout the year, which can be observed on perhaps 80% of the days of the year. There is also a total of 24 other species migrating through Canarian waters at different times of the year from the giant blue whale to the majestic killer whale.

This project will give you the perfect opportunity to learn more about these fascinating creatures and gain valuable experience in conservation as you spend your days working alongside the Island’s threatened whale and dolphin populations.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

We will tailor your internship to fulfill university/college requirements for independent study or course credit for your field of study

24/7 supervision and mentoring

Direct liaison between with your mentor and university or college tutor

Your mentor can also provide a College reference at the end of your internship

Help to monitor & observe marine cetaceans

It is possible to gain Course Credits in the following fields of study:

Biological Sciences

Coaching

Coral Reef Conservation

Community Health

Conservation Biology

Construction

Ecology

Ecosystem Management

Healthcare

Health Education

Journalism

Languages

Marine Biology

Marine Mammal Conservation

Medical Placements

Teaching

Tropical Forest Conservation

Tropical Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife Management

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Intermediate level of English

Introduction to your Course Supervisor

FAST FACTS

Location

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Activities

Visual surveys on board ethical whale watching boats.
Take part in coastal expeditions in search of dolphins and monitoring boat traffic.Maintenance of cetacean identification catalogue.Identification of marine fauna.Raise public awareness of conservation issues in the Tenerife whale watching community.
Matching of sighted whales and dolphins with cetacean catalogue.

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

Whales and dolphins are a natural resource in the Canary Islands, as is highlighted by the presence of more than 84 whale watching boats in the Islands, and about 500,000 whale watching tourists every year. Whales and dolphins are both beautiful species and have been around for millions of years so it’s of extreme importance humans conserve and respect these creatures.

Currently the whales and dolphins face a number of threats including habitat degradation, injury from ships and commercial fishing equipment, prey depletion caused by overfishing, and noise and health effects resulting from increased water pollution.

There are still a number of key cetacean populations that are resident and reproduce in the region, and so the protection of these magnificent creatures is paramount. We need volunteers to join the project that are committed to ensuring the conservation of a number of endangered cetacean species. The baseline data you collect will contribute towards the long-term management of the area and assist in promoting marine conservation in the wider region. So if you’re a marine life enthusiast and want to contribute to the important work of conservationists in Tenerife then this is the project for you!

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

After initial training and induction, volunteers will be taking part in three main project activities that combine to build Frontier’s conservation efforts in Tenerife. These activities are:

1.Cetacean Surveys on local ethical whale watching boats where volunteers will collect data and photographs of the local populations of cetaceans. The data being collected includes population numbers and population health, interactions with other vessels and other animals, behaviour patterns, habitat conditions and effect on animals and fin identification. This information is then inputted into our database which supplements our knowledge of cetaceans holds growing record of each individual on numerous species in Tenerife waters.

2.Community Outreach of the conservation efforts for cetaceans both in Tenerife and around the world by speaking to and informing tourists on the ethical whale watching boats, leafleting, completing and conducting questionnaires, working with the local whale watching industry to inform and raise awareness of the issues threatening whales and dolphins in Tenerife, informing tourists and other interested parties of the impact of tourism on the wildlife and overall working towards ethical tourism in the area.

3.Volunteers will also take part in Coastal Surveys in the local area to monitor boat and other vessel traffic, population numbers and behaviour, weather and environment conditions and impact, habitat health, fish farm activity, fish farm dependency by cetaceans and interactions between vessels and wildlife. This data helps to create a wider overall picture of the state of the whale and dolphin populations in Tenerife and the impact of tourism.

Frequency of these activities is dependent on season and numbers but every volunteer will get the chance to take part in each of these crucial activities that help to build a whale and dolphin-friendly Tenerife. These activities contribute to Tenerife’s expanding knowledge of the whale and dolphin populations, informing tourists and industry members and build Frontier’s on going conservation efforts on the island.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

The project is located in southern Tenerife, a short journey from Tenerife South Airport. If you have arranged an airport pickup, you will be met on arrival by a Frontier staff member and escorted to the project site. If you have chosen to make your own way to the project, you can use our easy to follow instructions. We will provide you with all the information you need prior to your departure to enable you to plan your journey. Upon arrival at the project site you will be met by a friendly Frontier representative from the research team and taken to your accommodation.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

During your time on the project you will be staying at our volunteer house, located close to the three major harbours from where the whale watching boats launch, with your fellow volunteers and research staff. This house also acts as the field base for conservation efforts so you’ll spend the majority of your work time here when out on the boats analysing data collected from the morning’s survey. Within the house there is a large living room and balcony for you to relax on after a busy day in the field, an open kitchen with all the facilities you’ll need to cook up a feast. You’ll sleep in bunk beds in one of the volunteer bedrooms with the other volunteers. As well as sleeping, the bedrooms can also be used to relax in after the long hours spent at sea and working on dolphin data. If you decide to venture out the house in your spare time, everything you’ll need is a short walk or bus ride away, including the harbour, supermarkets, bars, restaurants and banks.

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

You will be provided with 2 basic meals a day on weekdays as part of this programme consisting of breakfast and an evening meal. Volunteers typically work together with the research staff to cook and complete all house-keeping duties. Make sure you come prepared with some recipes you’re comfortable with cooking for everyone - you may even pick up a new dish or two during your stay to wow your friends and family back at home! Alternatively the local village also offers a choice of inexpensive and traditional restaurants for you to sample authentic Canarian cuisine. Why not try some Pancho Canario (a soup consisting of noodles, meat and vegetables) with some Bienmesabe for dessert (a puree of ground almond, egg yolk, sugar, lemon rind and cinnamon) and tea with a slice of lemon to wash it all down.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

In your spare time make sure you take the opportunity to explore the islands hidden secrets and sample the traditional historic towns as well as the stunning natural landscapes which you may recognise from Star Wars and Clash of the Titans. Maybe even pay a visit to the Teide National Park and climb a live volcano. Don’t forget to stop off at the beautiful Renaissance town of La Orotava at the foot of the mountain and explore the old narrow streets and quaint churches.

Tenerife also offers everything you would expect from a fantastic tourist location, including scuba diving, quad biking, festivals and great nightlife to help unwind at the weekend.

Frontier can organise a variety of activities in Tenerife for you, whether it is salsa lessons or learning how to windsurf, we can help!

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

To apply for this placement, click on "Apply Now" below. Fill in the short application form and one of our advisers will then call you back to answer any questions and make sure this is the perfect placement for you. Applying doesn't cost a penny and you won't pay anything until you're completely happy and you're ready to reserve your place.